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Elevators have huge counter weights that weigh more than the whole cab. I've read that it takes more energy for an elevator to go down than up, depending on the
by Timmah 8y ago
Elevators have huge counter weights that weigh more than the whole cab. I've read that it takes more energy for an elevator to go down than up, depending on the load. I think (dis)engaging these weights all day would be one of the most difficult aspects.
To me what's interesting about elevators is the mathematics. First the control system and how it matches the cab to the floor level within millimeters. Especially on tall shafts where the cable undoubtedly stretches.
Second is how they activate the control system. For instance if you push the button while it's moving full speed, it has to know which stops it can make in time.
Also handling erroneous input, ie 12 year old me pushing all floors on a 30 storey building, at some point it becomes wise to my antics and cancels all the calls.
Then you have the (linear programming?) optimization of where to put the cars. Statistically most calls originate at the bottom floor. So you optimize time by not allowing all 4 cars to loiter near the top. This gets even more complicated if 2 elevators are moving simultaneously down and someone below presses Down. Which one should stop?
I have no idea how they actually do this stuff, but I know it's more complicated than it appears.
- 7952 8y agoI guess you could have a chassis that is attached to the counterweights. The cabin could be on rails and drive onto the chassis. Of course this would not work for small buildings as it would take up an entire side of the building. And for larger complexes it would be simpler to have a separate system of self driving pods that are separate from the lifts. This would be a much easier topology to optimise.
- Timmah 8y agoI think rather than a sideways elevator, they should make one that runs on an electrified track without a cable or counterweight. Just a motor that runs on a cog or something. You could then have multiple elevators on the same shaft, going the same direction. Then at a couple places, have switches that go sideways to the other track, just like a train. So for instance you could have 10 elevators going up and 10 going down, using 2 tracks. With switches at the bottom, top, and middle. After someone is dropped off, the elevator moves to the down track until called. You could fit way more elevators and have more floor space for real estate. Plus you could harvest the electricity going down instead of burning it on the brakes. It would just need a really good safety to guarantee it won't plummet in a motor/power/computer failure.